Estelle Raskin Gallery
Oils, Acrylics and pastels
 
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Current Exhibition
I Speak
December 6-24, 2005
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Exhibition: I Speak
Rooz Cafe
4252 Piedmont Ave.
Oakland, CA 94611
phone: 510. 985.1360
www.roozcafe.com
 

"I Speak"

"I Speak" is a personal exploration into the process of self expression; a creative journey of learning how to honor my inner voice and my vision. This body of work reflects my current relationship to myself, to art, and to life, which are all interrelated and reflect one another. "I Speak" emphasizes the process rather than focusing on trying to get somewhere for the sake of an end result. Each painting consists of brush strokes, and each brush stroke is complete within itself, a testament to the presence pulsating within the individual moments of creative action, the power of being alive. The canvas is a witness to the unfolding of the sacred journey which is "I Speak" where all steps are of equal value.

These works are not created for the sake of "perfection" or "beauty", which is always in reference to something outside itself. It is in trying to meet the projected expectations and standards of others that our true voice is lost, and our authentic expression is stifled. The journey is rather to reach deeply, and to listen carefully to the inner truth of our own unique experience, the value of which cannot be determined by another.

The "I" that speaks in each of us is the voice of courage which compels us to follow our vision despite the obstacles we may encounter on the way. It is the voice that is able to perceive these challenges as gifts and transmute them into growth and gratitude. The process of creating art is the very alchemy that transmutes all doubt into greater understanding of who we are and what we are worthy of creating. "I speak" is a creative transformation of my relationship to my own voice and my willingness to expose what is most personal. It is an intimate portrait of my struggle to share freely the intricacies of my personal battle to stay true to what is real, sacred, and important to me. Allowing these paintings to come forth is an act of acknowledging the significance of living according to my inner truth, to keep going, to keep reaching for it ceaselessly again and again...